Boilerhouse opened for guests

After closing time in Carlsberg City District, ÅBEN in the old boilerhouse is the obvious place to meet. In the iconic building – or on the large outdoor terrace – you can now enjoy a freshly-brewed beer with an origin of less than two kilometres away.  

ÅBEN started as a brewery in 2017. Since then, it has opened bars with its own beer on tap in several parts of the country with the simple ambition of bringing people together to experience high-quality beer with consideration for the environment. With its location in the industrial, historic boilerhouse, ÅBEN Carlsberg City District offers an opportunity to show its open and straightforward approach to the world and our shared cultural history.

The boilerhouse building, with its four chimneys and arched windows, is iconic. As the building is listed, as much as possible has been preserved. The pre-existing and new have been given equal importance. The cast-in-situ columns and beams dictate the layout of the space, and the elegant furniture with wardrobes and toilets is designed to be removable.

Good acoustics are part of the package

With the desire to preserve its historical and aesthetic qualities, the industrial scale and character has been maintained in the interior design. Surfaces and materials are inspired by the original look of the boilerhouse. Beer taps hang side by side on a wall with 15x15-cm white tiles, while installations, piping, ventilation and kitchen are exposed with shiny metal surfaces. The bar and the boilerhouse's new walls are constructed from Viroc panels.

Troldtekt acoustic panels in natural wood are placed between the concrete ceiling structures to dampen the acoustics in the high-ceilinged room. The materials have their own natural colour and the space is not infused with colour as such. The curtains in the centre of the room can create a more private space for gatherings and, like the Troldtekt ceiling, give the room a tactile feel. The grandiose space is allowed to stand out, while the minimal design frames guests’ options for sitting at small or large tables, by the window or at the bar.